Reynaldo just lost his job and is frantic about how he will pay the rent. He talks to the worker about how he will pay his rent and whether he will be eligible for unemployment. In the course of the conversation, he mentions his fear of going home to face his wife. He does not believe she will understand. The worker says, “Well, you’re mostly upset because you’re afraid of your wife and what she’s going to say about this.” Will Reynaldo want to continue to express his worries with this worker?

Enhanced Blocked

Above are various scenarios illustrating workers’ responses in a variety of situations. Examine the responses in each case and decide whether the worker is blocking communication or enhancing it. Do the worker’s responses cut off further communication from the other person or seem to encourage the person to continue? Circle your answer after each vignette.